Carla, 27, was discovered by her dad Ian when he returned from work on August 20, an inquest heard.

Despite a desperate effort, Mr Rankin and paramedics were unable to revive her.

At an inquest at Macclesfield town hall Nicholas Rheinberg, Coroner for Cheshire, concluded that Carla’s death was accidental.

The inquest heard that Carla had lived with epilepsy since birth.

She took medication daily to manage the seizures, but was unable to prevent them from happening occasionally.

Ian Rankin told the hearing that Carla had suffered three life-threatening seizures, including one where she was saved from drowning in a hot tub, and the other when she suffered a head injury during a fall on the London Underground.

But Mr Rankin said Carla didn’t let epilepsy limit her life.

He said: “She had a healthy attitude towards her condition. She didn’t like it and didn’t want it, and we wanted desperately to take it away from her, but she didn’t let it get her down.”

The inquest heard that university graduate Carla had just returned home to Macclesfield having worked as a manager of a restaurant in London.

After messaging her best friend about their plans for the weekend at 3pm, Carla took a bath at the family home on Bridge Green. She was discovered by her dad at 6pm.

In his conclusion Mr Rheinberg said: “One of the problems with epilepsy is that prior to a seizure Carla had no warning signs so she could move herself to a place of safety.

“Carla went for a bath, suffered a seizure and tragically drowned.”

Speaking after the hearing, Carla’s mum Denise said: “We would like to thank all those involved in trying to save Carla.

“In the months since her death, friends all over the country have been fundraising in her memory for Epilepsy Action.